A debate that has been simmering for years is now boiling over in the church: Are the Jewish people still God’s chosen people, or has that title shifted entirely to Christians?
It’s shaping how believers think about Israel, prophecy and the end times. In a recent episode of Live Free, Pastor Josh Howerton addressed the question head-on, offering a framework rooted in Scripture rather than extremes.
The answer is not as simple as yes or no. Scripture holds both sides in tension.
The Tension Most People Miss
At the center of the debate is the meaning of “chosen.”
Two truths stand side by side:
- Salvation comes through faith in Jesus Christ alone (Eph. 2:8–9)
- God’s covenant relationship with Israel has not been erased (Rom. 11:1–2)
They are not contradictory. They speak to different realities.
What Howerton Gets Right About Israel and the Church
The Live Free discussion lays out a clear structure:
- Salvation Is Through Jesus Alone
Jewish identity does not save. Like everyone else, Jewish people must come to faith in Christ. - Israel Is Still Chosen, But Not Automatically Saved
Israel remains chosen in a covenant sense, not in a way that guarantees salvation. - God’s Promises to Israel Still Stand
Romans 11 makes it clear that God has not rejected His people. - The Church Is Grafted In, Not a Replacement
Gentile believers are brought into the same story, not substituted in place of Israel (Rom. 11:17). - A Future Turning of Israel Is Expected
Scripture points to a coming moment when many in Israel will turn to Christ (Rom. 11:25–26).
The Bigger Picture
Jesus fulfilled the Old Covenant system of temple, sacrifice and priesthood (Heb. 10:1–10). That era is complete, but Israel’s role in God’s story is not erased.
Paul warns Gentile believers not to become arrogant, reminding them they have been grafted into something they did not start (Rom. 11:18). The church is unified in Christ, yet Israel still holds a distinct place in the biblical narrative (Eph. 2:14–16).
Why This Matters Now
As attention on Israel intensifies globally, so do questions about prophecy. This conversation is gaining momentum because believers are trying to understand how current events may connect to what Scripture describes.
The Bottom Line
Are the Jewish people still God’s chosen people?
According to Howerton, it’s a split answer:
Yes — in terms of God’s covenant purposes.
No — in terms of automatic salvation.
God’s plan has not been replaced. It has expanded.
Through Jesus, salvation is open to all nations, but the promises to Israel remain. And according to Scripture, the story is not finished.
James Lasher, a seasoned writer and editor at Charisma Media, combines faith and storytelling with a journalism background from Otterbein University and ministry experience in Guatemala and at the LA Dream Center. A Marine Corps and Air Force veteran, he is the author of The Revelation of Jesus: A Common Man’s Commentary and a contributor to Charisma magazine. For interviews and media inquiries, please contact [email protected].
interesting